Chapter 51

Eric threw his hands up, "You two were really reckless! You know what kind of guy Chris is, and you still went out to the wilderness to find him?It's a miracle you made it back in one piece. If something had happened,I d be in deep trouble too. Isabella, you're usually the smart and steady one.Did you lose your mind this time? You knew it was a trap and still walked right into it. Are you tired of living a peaceful life? Is a project really worth risking your neck for?"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Allen. I know I messed up. I won't do itagain," Isabella mumbled, sitting on the bed with her head down, avoiding Eric's gaze.

Olivia couldn't hold back anymore and snapped at Eric, "Stop blaming Isabella. She did it for the company. Mr. Johnson is pushing hard for this project, and it is our first big one..."

Eric cut her off, "If you hadn't spoken up, I might've forgotten about you!You act without thinking. Neither of you is smart when you're together.Can't you see Vaughn is using you? You're busting your butts for him.What has he promised you that's worth risking your lives for a project?Vaughn wouldn't care if you died on that mountain."

Eric's words made the two women on the bed almost hide their faces under the sheets.

"Did you tell Michael about this?" Eric asked, taking a deep breath and speaking coldly.

Isabella shook her head. "No, don't tell him. If he finds out, he'll definitely go after Chris. He's impulsive, and if something happens, I... I..."

"You really care about him. Yeah, if he finds out, it'll be a big mess. But we can't just let this slide." A hint of ruthlessness flashed in Eric's eyes.

"Let's call the cops!" Olivia suddenly suggested.

Eric tapped Olivia's head with his finger, "Call the cops? Even if you called them right then, it wouldn't help. The most they'd do is charge him with public indecency, and you'd be dragged into it too. Chris set this trap specifically for you; he wouldn't leave any evidence for you to report."

Olivia pouted, "So we just let him get away with it?"

"We'll get our revenge later," Eric said, squinting his eyes, making Olivia shiver. She was secretly glad he wasn't mad at her.

Their phones had been taken by Chris's people and not recovered.Eric had new phones delivered, complete with SIM cards, and told them to stay in the hospital for the night to keep an eye on their condition.

Isabella used the new phone to text Michael, telling him she and Olivia were staying in the dorm tonight.

After sending the message, she turned off the phone, afraid that if Michael called, she wouldn't be able to control her emotions and might spill the beans.

By the next morning, both of them were mostly symptom-free, just a bit of a cold,especially Isabella, who had been drugged by Chris. She had a blood test, which also showed no issues.

After completing the discharge procedures, Eric told them not to work overtime for a while and to rest at home.

Olivia happily said, "That's great. Mr. Allen, you're so nice. I feel so awful;I wouldn't work overtime even for a million bucks."

Eric called a cab for Isabella to go home.

Watching Isabela's car leave, Olivia was left alone with Eric, feeling a bit nervous.

"Mr. Allen, I'mn heading out too," Olivia said, trying to muster up some courage before turning to leave.

She barely took a step before Eric grabbed her by the collar and pulled her back.

"You shouldn't go back to the dorm. You live alone, and if you pass out from a fever, no one will know. It's Saturday, and I'm not working. Come to my place; I can take care of you," Eric said calmly.

"What?" Olivia thought she must be delirious from the fever and misheard him.

Seeing her dazed look, Eric waved his hand in front of her eyes.

Olivia snapped out of it and asked, "Mr. Allen, what did you just say? I...

I...didn't hear clearly."

Eric's tone softened a bit, "I said, if you're not feeling well and something happens,no one will know."

Before Eric could finish, Olivia suddenly realized. "Oh right, I need to call Isabella and have her come back to the dorm. We can look after each other.11

She pulled out her phone to call Isabella.

Eric snatched her phone and yelled, "Are you serious? You want Isabella to leave her house, with servants, to stay in a crappy dorm with you? Aren't you afraid Michael will come after you? I still want to live a few more days."

Olivia muttered, "Why are you yelling? Just because you have a loud voice?

"

Eric, losing patience, said directly, "You're staying at my place. It's

Saturday,no work, and I'll take care of you."

Olivia blushed. She didn't like being around Eric, but she felt a bit of anticipation. She didn't understand her feelings and awkwardly said,"Oh!This... this is so embarrassing!"

Eric, now stern, said, "What's so embarrassing? I'm your supervisor and your senior. If you die, it's my responsibility. Don't overthink it."

Seeing his cold face, Olivia didn't dare say anything else and obediently got into the car with Eric.

They were silent the whole way.

Olivia wanted to break the awkward silence but couldn't bring herself to speak.

The silence continued until they entered Eric's home.

Eric took a pair of pink slippers from the shoe rack for Olivia to change into.

Seeing the women's slippers, Olivia felt inexplicably upset and stood at the door without moving.

They were at a standstill until Eric couldn't help but say, "Do you want me to put them on for you?"

As he spoke, he reached to take off Olivia's shoes.

Olivia stepped back and pointed at the slippers, asking, "Won't she mind if I wear these?"

"She? Who?" Eric was confused.

"Your girlfriend." Olivia felt a bit sad. "It's not right for me to wear her slippers,is it?"

"What girlfriend?" Eric found it amusing and laughed.

He rummaged through a box on the entryway table and handed her a long grocery receipt. "I bought all this for you. Pay me back when you get a chance."

Olivia looked at the receipt, which listed everything from toothbrushes to bedding,all bought the night before.

Olivia couldn't believe this was all for her.

"Take care of yourself," Eric said, leaving her to it as he went to his bedroom.

He didn't want to scare her any further. Finally, Olivia was at his place,and he wasn't in a rush.